Back to the present, Wil sat on the edge of the sofa, elbows resting on his knees, fingers clenched together as he stared at the floor with distant eyes.
Scarlet reached out and gently patted his shoulder.
"Are you alright?" she asked quietly.
Wil let out a shaky exhale. "Do I look alright to you?" he muttered, lifting his head.
His voice cracked with frustration. "She lied to me… took advantage of me. Mother, she's here to destroy our family—kill you, and even use my child for that?"
He shut his eyes and gritted his teeth.
"I… I almost sabotaged my marriage with Akiko. I might've ruined our ties with the Miyazaki family. I'm not even twenty, Mom. I've been juggling businesses, making strategic deals… and whatever time I had left, I spent it with her instead of enjoying it for myself. For what?"
Scarlet squeezed his shoulder gently.
"If someone kills me," she said, voice low and steady, "no matter who it is, would you stop taking revenge?"
